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Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is used in minimally invasive dentistry for arresting dental caries. However, discoloration of teeth is a significant side effect that has limited the use of SDF. Hence, the application of potassium iodide (KI) following SDF has been proposed to ameliorate the staining. Although antimicrobial activity is one of the major mechanisms of the caries-arresting effect of SDF, the antimicrobial potency of SDF/KI combination is unclear. Thus, the primary objective of this systematic review was to appraise the studies on the antimicrobial efficacy of SDF/KI combination on cariogenic microbes. The secondary objective was to summarize the evidence on the potential of KI in reducing the discoloration associated with the application of SDF. Electronic databases of Medline via PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and EBSCO host were searched for English language manuscripts from January 2005 to 15 th November 2020. The reference lists of these manuscripts were manually searched for additional studies. Twelve studies were included in the final analysis, seven of which have investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of SDF/KI, and the rest have examined the anti-staining potential of KI. The exploratory findings from the reviewed articles revealed the promising antimicrobial potential of SDF/KI on cariogenic microbes associated with dentine caries. There is, however, contradictory evidence on the effect of SDF/KI on tooth color. The reviewed in-vitro studies indicated significant effectiveness of KI in preventing staining. A clinical trial on primary dentition showed 25% reduction in the incidence of staining by SDF after applying KI, while a clinical study on root caries in adults showed no significant effect. Within the methodological limitations of this review, we conclude that for arresting dental caries, SDF could be combined with KI, as there may be a lower likelihood of staining. Further, well-designed clinical trials on the antimicrobial and anti-staining effect of SDF/KI are needed to obtain more robust evidence.

Iodine deficiency is one of the major causes of brain damage in childhood. However, iodine supplementation during early pregnancy and lactation can prevent the ill effects of iodine deficiency. This study evaluated maternal and infant thyroid function and infant visual information processing (VIP) in the context of maternal iodine supplementation. A community-based, randomized, supplementation trial was conducted. Mother infant dyads (n = 106) were enrolled within the first 10 days after delivery to participate in this study. Mothers were randomly assigned either to receive a potassium iodide capsule (225 μg iodine) daily for 26 weeks or iodized salt weekly for 26 weeks. Maternal thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin (Tg), urinary iodine concentration (UIC), breast milk iodine concentration (BMIC) and infant T4, TSH, UIC and VIP were measured as outcome variables. At baseline, neither mothers nor infants in the two groups were significantly different in any of the biomarkers or anthropometric measurements. Maternal TSH and goiter prevalence significantly decreased following iodine supplementation. The percentage of infants who preferentially remembered the familiar face was 26% in the capsule and 51% in the I-salt groups. Infant sex, length for age Z score, BMIC, maternal education and household food security were strong predictors of novelty quotient. In conclusion supplementation daily for six months with an iodine capsule or the use of appropriately iodized salt for an equivalent time was sufficient to reduce goiter and TSH in lactating women. Higher BMIC and LAZ as well as better household food security, maternal education, and male sex predicted higher novelty quotient scores in the VIP paradigm.

Previous studies have shown that antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) can be strongly potentiated by the addition of the non-toxic inorganic salt, potassium iodide (KI). This approach was shown to apply to many different photosensitizers, including the xanthene dye Rose Bengal (RB) excited by green light (540 nm). Rose Bengal diacetate (RBDA) is a lipophilic RB derivative that is easily taken up by cells and hydrolyzed to produce an active photosensitizer. Because KI is not taken up by microbial cells, it was of interest to see if aPDI mediated by RBDA could also be potentiated by KI. The addition of 100 mM KI strongly potentiated the killing of Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylocccus aureus , Gram-negative Eschericia coli , and fungal yeast Candida albicans when treated with RBDA (up to 15 µM) for 2 hours followed by green light (540 nm, 10 J/cm 2 ). Both RBDA aPDI regimens (400 µM RBDA with or without 400 mM KI followed by 20 J/cm 2 green light) accelerated the healing of MRSA-infected excisional wounds in diabetic mice, without damaging the host tissue.

Background Conidiobolomycosis is a rare, chronic subcutaneous fungal infection caused primarily by Conidiobolus coronatus and Conidiobolus incongruus . It predominantly affects immunocompetent individuals and presents as slowly progressive rhino-facial swelling. Due to its indolent nature and rarity, it is often misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and potentially disfiguring outcomes. We report two successfully treated cases of conidiobolomycosis from Sri Lanka. Case presentation The first patient, a 27-year-old immunocompetent male, presented with a six-month history of left-sided nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and gradual, painless swelling that initially affected the left nasal cavity and later extended to the left cheek, infraorbital region, and right nasal side. Histopathological examination of excision biopsy specimens revealed broad, aseptate fungal hyphae with associated necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and dense eosinophilic infiltrates. He was treated with oral itraconazole 200 mg twice daily and saturated potassium iodide solution (1 ml three times daily). Clinical symptoms completely resolved after six weeks, and therapy was continued for an additional month before cessation. The second patient, a 59-year-old previously healthy female, presented with a five-month history of progressive left-sided nasal congestion and disfiguring swelling over the nose. Clinical examination and radiological assessment revealed soft tissue thickening in the nasolabial fold extending into the nasal septum. Biopsy samples showed granulomatous inflammation with broad, sparsely septate fungal hyphae, confirmed on Grocott-Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) staining. Direct microscopy with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) demonstrated thin-walled, hyaline hyphae with irregular branching and few septations. She also recovered completely with itraconazole treatment. Both patients achieved complete resolution with medical management, emphasizing that early recognition and targeted antifungal therapy can lead to excellent outcomes in conidiobolomycosis. Conclusion Despite its rarity, this infection should be considered in patients presenting with persistent rhino-facial swelling, especially in endemic areas. While the prognosis is generally good, prolonged therapy may be necessary, and cosmetic deformities may persist. Increased clinical awareness and timely diagnosis are essential to prevent complications and disfigurement associated with this overlooked fungal infection.

Artificial photosynthesis using carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) holds a great promise for sustainable and cost-effective H 2 O 2 production, but the high carrier recombination rate impedes its efficiency. To tackle this challenge, we propose an innovative method involving multispecies iodine mediators (I − /I 3 − ) intercalation through a pre-photo-oxidation process using potassium iodide (suspected deteriorated “KI”) within the g-C 3 N 4 framework. Moreover, we introduce an external electric field by incorporating cationic methyl viologen ions to establish an auxiliary electron transfer channel. Such a unique design drastically improves the separation of photo-generated carriers, achieving an impressive H 2 O 2 production rate of 46.40 mmol g −1 h −1 under visible light irradiation, surpassing the most visible-light H 2 O 2 -producing systems. Combining various advanced characterization techniques elucidates the inner photocatalytic mechanism, and the application potential of this photocatalytic system is validated with various simulation scenarios. This work presents a significative strategy for preparing and applying highly efficient g-C 3 N 4 -based catalysts in photochemical H 2 O 2 production. H 2 O 2 photosynthesis using g-C 3 N 4 is considered an alternative to anthraquinone processes. Inspired by the optical instability of potassium iodide, the I − /I 3 − internal redox mediator and external electric field are integrated into the g-C 3 N 4 , achieving satisfactory H 2 O 2 production.

Drug-resistant urinary tract infections (UTIs) are difficult and sometimes impossible to treat. Many UTIs are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). We developed an intact rat model of UTI, by catheterizing female rats and introducing a bioluminescent UPEC strain into the female rat bladder which lasted for up to six days. We recently showed that antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) of a bacterial infection mediated by the well-known phenothiazinium salt, methylene blue (MB) could be strongly potentiated by addition of the non-toxic salt potassium iodide (KI). In the intact rat model we introduced MB into the bladder by catheter, followed by KI solution and delivered intravesicular illumination with a diffusing fiber connected to a 1 W 660 nm laser. Bioluminescent imaging of the bacterial burden was carried out during the procedure and for 6 days afterwards. Light-dose dependent loss of bioluminescence was observed with the combination of MB followed by KI, but recurrence of infection was seen the next day in some cases. aPDT with MB + KI gave a significantly shorter duration of infection compared to untreated controls. aPDT with MB alone was the least effective. No signs of aPDT damage to the bladder lining were detected. This procedure to treat urinary tract infections without antibiotics by using already approved pharmaceutical substances (MB and KI) may have clinical applicability, either initially as a stand-alone therapy, or as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy by a rapid and substantial reduction of the bacterial burden.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) can be a viable option for management of intranasal infections. However, there are light delivery, fluence, and photosensitizer-related challenges. We report in vitro effectiveness of an easily fabricated, low-cost, portable, LED device and a formulation comprising methylene blue (MB) and potassium iodide (KI) for photoinactivation of pathogens of the nasal cavity, namely, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, multi-antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida spp., and SARS-CoV-2.In a 96-well plate, microbial suspensions incubated with 0.005% MB alone or MB and KI formulation were exposed to different red light (~ 660 ± 25 nm) fluence using the LED device fitted to each well. Survival loss in bacteria and fungi was quantified using colony-forming unit assay, and SARS-CoV-2 photodamage was assessed by RT-PCR.The results suggest that KI addition to MB leads to KI concentration-dependent potentiation (up to ~ 5 log10) of photoinactivation in bacteria and fungi. aPDT in the presence of 25 or 50 mM KI shows the following photoinactivation trend; Gm + ve bacteria  > Gm − ve bacteria > fungi  > virus. aPDT in the presence of 100 mM KI, using 3- or 5-min red light exposure, results in complete eradication of bacteria or fungi, respectively. For SARS-CoV-2, aPDT using MB-KI leads to a ~ 6.5 increase in cycle threshold value.The results demonstrate the photoinactivation effectiveness of the device and MB-KI formulation, which may be helpful in designing of an optimized protocol for future intranasal photoinactivation studies in clinical settings.

The benefits of iodine supplements during pregnancy remain controversial in areas with a mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of improving iodine intakes, with iodised salt (IS) or iodine supplements, in pregnant Spanish women. A total of 131 pregnant women in their first trimester were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) IS in cooking and at the table, (2) 200 μg potassium iodide (KI)/d or (3) 300 μg KI/d. No differences were found in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) or thyroid volume (TV) between the three groups. Regardless of the group in which women were included, those who had been taking IS for at least 1 year before becoming pregnant had a significantly lower TV in the third trimester (P= 0·01) and a significantly higher urinary iodine in the first (173·7 (sd 81·8) v. 113·8 (sd 79·6) μg/l, P= 0·001) and third trimesters (206·3 (sd 91·2) v. 160·4 (sd 87·7) μg/l, P= 0·03). Also, no differences were seen in TSH, FT4 or FT3. Children's neurological development was not significantly associated with the consumption of IS for at least 1 year before becoming pregnant and no differences were found according to the treatment group. In conclusion, in pregnant women with insufficient iodine intake, the intake of IS before becoming pregnant was associated with a better maternal thyroid function. The form of iodide intake was not associated with maternal thyroid function or children's neurological development.

Background Potassium iodide (KI) treatment affects the vascularity of the thyroid gland and therefore may improve intraoperative visualization of essential structures. However, clear evidence for its usage is lacking, and its implementation in patients suffering from Graves' disease is becoming rare. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of KI treatment on the intraoperative course and the outcome of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for Graves' diseases. Methods The study included 442 patients: 125 patients (28.3%) who received a preoperative treatment with KI (“Group KI”) and 317 patients (71.7%) without a KI therapy (“Group No-KI”). Indication for KI treatment was a thyroid bruit (82.5%), as well as hyperthyroidism refractive to medical treatment with antithyroid drugs (17.4%). Results All patients underwent total thyroidectomy. Permanent vocal cord paresis and permanent hypoparathyroidism were similar in both groups. KI treatment was associated with a significantly longer operative time (142 vs. 128 min, p  < 0.001) and a significant higher weight of the thyroid gland. KI treatment did not impact duration of hospital stay or occurrence of secondary hemorrhage. Conclusions The complication rate of this study population with clinically severe GD was very low—which may be caused by pre-treatment of patients. The complementary option of a potassium iodide treatment before surgery remains a possibility and should be implemented individually.

The artificial photocatalytic synthesis based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) for H 2 O 2 production is evolving rapidly. However, the simultaneous production of high-value products at electron and hole sites remains a great challenge. Here, we use transformable potassium iodide to obtain semi-crystalline g-C 3 N 4 integrated with the I - /I 3 - redox shuttle mediators for efficient generation of H 2 O 2 and benzaldehyde. The system demonstrates a prominent catalytic efficiency, with a benzaldehyde yield of 0.78 mol g −1 h −1 and an H 2 O 2 yield of 62.52 mmol g −1 h −1 . Such a constructed system can achieve an impressive 96.25% catalytic selectivity for 2e - oxygen reduction, surpassing previously reported systems. The mechanism study reveals that the strong crystal electric field from iodized salt enhances photo-generated charge carrier separation. The I - /I 3 - redox mediators significantly boost charge migration and continuous electron and proton supply for dual-channel catalytic synthesis. This groundbreaking work in photocatalytic co-production opens neoteric avenues for high-value synthesis. Artificial photocatalytic systems based on graphitic carbon nitride are improving, but production of high-value products at electron and hole sites is challenging. Here, the authors report a system using graphite-phase carbon nitride modified with potassium iodide/triiodide eutectic salt to generate H 2 O 2 and benzaldehyde.